Change150 announces protest campaign for District 150 board seat

PEORIA — With Sue Wolstenholm out of the race for Peoria District 150 School Board, incumbent Laura Petelle is now running against Change150. Sort of.

Change 150, the community group that grew out of dissatisfaction with the district’s handling of an investigation into testing irregularities at Charter Oak Primary School, formally announced Tuesday it will take over Wolstenholm’s campaign in District 150’s Third District.

The group plans to use typical campaign tactics — yard signs, brochures, going door-to-door — to urge residents to cast a vote for Wolstenholm in protest of what often has been described as the culture of fear and intimidation created by District 150 Superintendent Grenita Lathan and her administrative team.

Wolstenholm withdrew from the race in late February, citing personal reasons, but it was too late to remove her name from the ballot for the March 18 election. With her permission, Change 150 wants voters to elect her anyway.

She would not serve if elected, she said in an emailed statement. But the situation would force remaining School Board members to select a replacement within 45 days.

“My name is on the ballot to give those who seek change in the makeup of the board an opportunity to affect that change,” Wolstenholm said.

Change150’s ultimate goal is to influence the board’s selection. Sea Stipe, a spokesman for Change 150, said a landslide vote for Wolstenholm would give the group leverage with the board. Change 150 also is building a larger coalition, he said, that would submit a short list of “acceptable” candidates from which District 150 board members could select a replacement if Wolstenholm wins.

Stipe was vague on details about what would make an acceptable candidate, other than opposition to Lathan. He was not ready to name other groups in the coalition until they have had a chance to discuss issues with their members and supporters.

However, a group of retired District 150 administrators and the union that represents District 150 teachers have strongly criticized Lathan, particularly in the aftermath of the Charter Oak investigation, which resulted in the reassignment of a popular principal, John Wetterauer, and two special education teachers. The NAACP has been critical of Lathan’s leadership in the past.

Change 150 plans to announce more details about the coalition’s preferred candidates and policy statements before the election.

“I understand it’s an interesting situation,” Stipe said during a news conference at Richwoods Community Church. “We’re asking you to vote for someone who’s not going to serve, we’re asking you to trust us to come up with good candidates.”

But with Wolstenholm dropping out less than a month before the election, Stipe said the group had little time to figure out how to make the best of an unfortunate situation.

“I remain the only candidate for School Board who is actually willing to do the job,” Petelle said.

“A protest vote will only allow the other members of the board to replace a responsive elected official with someone who owes the board, not the voters, for their position.”

Petelle, who is seeking a second five-year term on the board, pointed out Wolstenholm has credited her for her responsiveness to parents and the public.

Stipe acknowledged Change 150 must overcome a number of obstacles. For instance, if Wolstenholm wins, the School Board is not obligated to consider Change 150’s suggestions to replace her. A replacement would serve a one-year term until the next election.

Even if the board chooses a candidate acceptable to Change 150, that person would be one vote among seven, hardly enough votes to oust a superintendent.

And, finally, Petelle could win.

“I’m not sure we have a huge issue with Laura,” Stipe said. But, because she’s the board member who’s up for re-election, he added, she represents an opportunity to send the board a message that Change 150 is serious about changing the direction of District 150, even if it means targeting other board members coming up for election.

Board President Rick Cloyd stayed out of the fray.

“Until we see how the election turns out, there’s no point in speculating on anything that might be done.”

Pam Adams can be reached at 686-3245 or padams@pjstar.com. Follow her on Twitter @padamspam.